ABSTRACT
A transcription of language on the basis of its phonologically relevant elements (notation: phonetic symbol between slashes), using symbols from the phonetic alphabet. In contrast with a phonetic transcription which indicates every perceivable (allophonic) distinction in sounds as accurately as possible, a phonological transcription is restricted to the linguistically significant differences, i.e. both allophones in free variation (such as the difference between a front trilled r [r] and a back trilled r in German) and in complementary distribution (e.g. aspirated voiceless vs non-aspirated voiceless stops in English) are indicated by the same phonetic symbol in the transcription.
